La Palma · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in La Palma

La Palma's city code sets fence heights by yard and limits the height and size of each type of accessory structure. A home business needs a home business license.

Ask about building on your lot in La Palma See coverage

Key points

Fence height: City code limits fences to 4.5 feet in the required front yard setback and 8 feet in side and rear yards.
Sheds and workshops: City code limits storage sheds to 8 feet and 120 square feet, and workshops to 12 feet and 400 square feet.
Home businesses: City code requires a home business license to run a business from home.

Each rule below is marked La Palma code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

La Palma code What La Palma's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet tall. Applies: Inside the traffic safety triangle. § 44-262 · code text Traffic safety triangle ( Section 44-276 ) \| 3 feet
Height anywhere on the lot	Walls, fences, hedges or lattice can be no more than 8 feet tall, unless a precise plan approves otherwise. Applies: Along an arterial highway, a local street or other public easement. § 44-262 · code text The maximum height of a wall, fence, hedge, or lattice, or any combination of along an arterial highway, a local street, or other public easement shall be eight feet unless otherwise approved by a precise plan. A lattice extension on a wall can add at most 2 feet, and wall plus lattice at most 8 feet. Applies: Single Family Residential (R-1) zone only; not in the front setback area. § 44-262 · code text A lattice extension of a wall shall be no higher than the lesser of two feet in height, or a total height for the wall plus lattice extension of eight feet, centered and mounted securely onto the top course of a wall as shown in figure B-1.
Front yard height	No more than 4.5 feet tall. Applies: In the front yard, within the required setback area. § 44-262 · code text Front yard, within the required setback area \| 4.5 feet
Side and rear yard height	No more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Side yard of an interior lot. § 44-262 · code text Side yard, interior lot \| 8 feet No more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Side yard of corner and reverse corner lots. § 44-262 · code text Side yard, corner and reverse corner lots \| 8 feet No more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Rear yard. § 44-262 · code text Rear yard \| 8 feet
Permit	A building permit is required. Applies: All block walls over 3 feet tall, and any extension to an existing block wall. § 44-262 · code text All block walls over three feet high and any extension to existing block walls shall require building permits from the Community Development Department. Community Development Director approval and a building permit are required. Applies: Adding lattice to raise a block wall. § 44-262 · code text A height extension using lattice to a block wall shall require Community Development Director Approval and a building permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

La Palma code What La Palma's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 12 feet tall. Applies: Patio covers and gazebos. § 44-102 · code text Patio Covers and gazebos \| 12 feet No more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Storage sheds and similar structures. § 44-102 · code text Storage sheds and similar structures \| 8 feet No more than 12 feet tall. Applies: Workshops. § 44-102 · code text Workshops \| 12 feet No more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Built-in barbecues, gas fireplaces and gas fire pits. § 44-102 · code text Stationary barbecue, gas fireplaces, and gas fire pits \| 8 feet No more than 10 feet tall. Applies: Canopies. § 44-102 · code text Canopies \| 10 feet
Size or lot coverage	No more than 480 square feet in total. Applies: All permit-exempt storage sheds together on a single-family (R-1) lot. § 44-102 · code text The total number of exempt storage sheds allowed on a single family (R-1) lot shall not exceed 480 square feet of total aggregate area. No more than 120 square feet. Applies: A balcony or deck on a single-family home. § 44-102 · code text The maximum size of a balcony or deck shall be 120 feet square feet. No more than 50% of the required rear yard area. Applies: Patio covers. § 44-102 · code text Patio covers shall not cover more than 50 percent of the required rear yard area. No more than 120 square feet. Applies: Storage sheds. § 44-102 · code text Storage sheds shall not exceed 120 square feet in area. No more than 400 square feet. Applies: Workshops; they must also be at least 120 square feet. § 44-102 · code text Workshops shall have a minimum area of 120 square feet and not exceed a maximum area of 400 square feet.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the interior side lot line. Applies: R-1 and R-3 only: patio covers, gazebos, sheds, barbecues, gas fireplaces and fire pits, canopies; permit-exempt sheds are exempt. § 44-102 · code text Patio covers, gazebos, storage sheds 4, 5 , stationary barbecues, gas fireplaces, gas fire pits, canopies and similar structures (R-1 and R-3 only). \| Interior side yard 1, 2 \| 5 feet At least 3 feet from the side lot line. Applies: Patio covers on lots with only one side yard. § 44-102 · code text On lots with only one side yard, the minimum required side setback for patio covers shall be three feet. At least 3 feet from the side lot line. Applies: Patio covers for condominiums and townhouses. § 44-102 · code text Condominiums and townhouses shall have a minimum side yard setback of three feet for patio covers. At least 5 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: R-1 and R-3 only: patio covers, gazebos, sheds, barbecues, gas fireplaces and fire pits, canopies; permit-exempt sheds are exempt. § 44-102 · code text Patio covers, gazebos, storage sheds 4, 5 , stationary barbecues, gas fireplaces, gas fire pits, canopies and similar structures (R-1 and R-3 only). \| Rear yard \| 5 feet At least 10 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Workshops in the rear yard. § 44-102 · code text Workshops \| Rear yard \| 10 feet At least 5 feet from the interior side lot line. Applies: Workshops in the interior side yard. § 44-102 · code text Workshops \| Interior side yard \| 5 feet
Distance from the house	At least 10 feet from any part of a home. Applies: Workshops. § 44-102 · code text Workshops shall be located at least ten feet from any portion of a residential structure.

Running a business from home

La Palma code What La Palma's code adds
Permit	A home business license is required. § 22-80 · code text No individual, firm, copartnership, joint venture, association, corporation, estate, trust, or any other entity shall operate, conduct, or manage any business in a residential dwelling except upon the issuance of a home business license in accordance with the provisions of this article.

Lot splits under SB 9

La Palma code What La Palma's code adds
Standards	Urban lot splits are allowed only in single-family residential zoning districts. § 44-1260 · code text The development standards set forth below shall apply to all urban lot split. For any development standard not explicitly identified below, the requirements of the underlying zoning district shall apply, unless superseded by State law. Each lot created by the parcel map may be used only for homes. § 44-1259 · code text Each lot created by the parcel map shall be used solely for residential dwellings; No more than 2 dwelling units on each lot. Applies: Main units, ADUs and junior ADUs all count. § 44-1259 · code text That no more than two residential dwelling units may be permitted on each lot.

Solar panels and EV chargers

La Palma code What La Palma's code adds
Solar permit process	Expedited review. You may apply by email, the City's website or fax. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems. § 10-38 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, the City's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants. No permit is needed for routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar systems. § 10-36 · code text Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements shall not require a permit.
Review time	The permit is issued within 3 business days. Applies: Applies when the application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 10-39 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the Building Official shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within three business days.

Swimming pools

La Palma code What La Palma's code adds
Maintenance and empty pools	Pools must be kept clean, with no floating scum, sputum or debris, and surfaces kept free of slime and algae. § 26-165 · code text Floating scum, sputum, and debris shall not be allowed to accumulate in any swimming pool, wading pool, or other similar body of water in the City. Water clear enough that a 6-inch black disc at the deepest point is visible from up to 10 yards. § 26-164 · code text Every owner or resident of property on which there is located a swimming pool, wading pool or other similar body of water shall maintain the water therein in a sufficiently clear and clean condition so that a black disc, six inches in diameter when placed at the bottom of such body of water at its deepest point against a white field, is clearly visible from the areas around such body of water at all distances up to ten yards from such disc.
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet. Applies: Applies to the interior side yard. § 44-273 · code text Interior Side Yard \| 5 feet At least 10 feet. Applies: Applies to the street side yard. § 44-273 · code text Street Side Yard \| 10 feet At least 5 feet. Applies: Applies to the rear yard. § 44-273 · code text Rear Yard \| 5 feet At least 15 feet. Applies: Applies to the front yard. § 44-273 · code text Front Yard \| 15 feet

Pets, chickens and bees

La Palma code What La Palma's code adds
Pet limit	No more than 4 household pets or animals. Applies: Applies in a residential zone. § 8-234 · code text Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no person in a residential zone shall have more than four household pets or animals, in accordance with section 44-104.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in La Palma?

City code limits fences to 4.5 feet in the required front yard setback and 8 feet in side and rear yards.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in La Palma?

City code limits storage sheds to 8 feet and 120 square feet, and workshops to 12 feet and 400 square feet.

Can I run a business from my home in La Palma?

City code requires a home business license to run a business from home.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in La Palma?

La Palma's code: Urban lot splits are allowed only in single-family residential zoning districts. (§ 44-1260); Each lot created by the parcel map may be used only for homes. (§ 44-1259).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in La Palma?

La Palma's code: Expedited review. You may apply by email, the City's website or fax. (Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 10-38); No permit is needed for routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements. (Applies to small home rooftop solar systems.) (§ 10-36).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in La Palma?

La Palma's code: Pools must be kept clean, with no floating scum, sputum or debris, and surfaces kept free of slime and algae. (§ 26-165); Water clear enough that a 6-inch black disc at the deepest point is visible from up to 10 yards. (§ 26-164).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in La Palma?

La Palma's code: No more than 4 household pets or animals. (Applies in a residential zone.) (§ 8-234).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific La Palma property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on La Palma

La Palma Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in La Palma

Buying & selling in La Palma

La Palma overview